Choosing a name for your baby is one of the most thrilling parts of preparing for their arrival. It’s an opportunity to pay tribute to your family’s traditions or to seek out new inspiration. Below, you’ll find a list of popular names in Zulu culture, along with their meanings, listed alphabetically.
Boy Names
- Anele – Sufficient or adequate
- Bafana – Boy
- Bangizwe – Fighting for land
- Bhekimuzi – Look after the household
- Bhekizizwe – Looking after the nations
- Bhekumbuso – Looking after the dominion
- Bonginkosi – Thank the Lord
- Dumisani – Praise
- Fanyana – Little boy
- Funani – Search or want
- Gatsha – Branch
- Kagiso – Peace
- Kgabu – to decorate richly
- Langa – Sun, rebirth, brightness
- Linda – Wait
- Lwandle – Ocean
- Maphikelela – Preserves
- Mandla – Power of energy
- Mpilo – Life
- Mpumelelo – Success
- Msizi – Helper
- Mthunzi – Shadow
- Musawenkosi – God’s grace
- Ndleleni – On the road
- Nkanyezi – Star
- Nkosenye – One king / Another king
- Nkosiyabo – The king
- Phila – Get well, live
- Philani – To be alive
- Phiwokwakhe – he who was given what was rightfully his
- Sanele – We are satisfied, we have enough
- Sfiso – Wish
- Shaka – name of a tribal leader
- Sibusiso – Blessing
- Siphiwe – We have been given
- Sipho – Gift
- Sithembiso – Promise
- Siyanda – We are increasing
- Solomon – Peach
- Thamsanqa – Luck
- Thando – Love
- Themba – Hope
- Thulani – Be quite or be comforted
- Velaphi – Where from
- Vusumzi – Raise the household
- Zenzele – Do for self
- Zithulele – Quiet
Related: Huggies or Pampers: Which One Is The Best For Your Baby?
Baby Girl Names:
- Amahle – Beautiful one
- Ayanda – One who is always increasing
- Ayize – Let it happen
- Busisiwe – Blessed
- Buhle – Beauty & goodness
- Duduzile – Consoled
- Hlengiwe – Redeemed
- Inyoni – Bird
- Isisa – Tenderness
- Jabulile – Be cheerful, be happy
- Khanyisile – Bringer of light
- Khethiwe – The chosen one
- Khulekani – Salute
- Lerato – Love
- Liyana – It’s raining
- Lukhona – It’s available
- Mbalienhle – A beautiful flower
- Mhambi – Traveler
- Mthunzi – Shade
- Nandi – Sweet
- Ndondoloza – Prudence
- Nhlakanipho – Wisdom
- Nkosingiphile – Lord, I’m in good health
- Nofoto – Like her grandmother
- Nokuthula – Peace and tranquillity
- Nolwazi – Knowledgeable
- Nomvula – After the rain
- Nonhlanhla – Luck
- Nonkululeko – Freedom
- Nonjabulo – Happiness
- Nozipho – Bearer of gifts
- Ntokozo – Happiness or joy
- Ntombizodwa – Lady
- Samukelisiwe – We have been welcomed
- Sibongile – We are thankful
- Siphephelo – Place of peace
- Sindisiwe – Saved
- Sinenhlanhla – We have luck
- Sizakele – Be helped
- Sizani – Be advantageous
- Thabisa – Delight
- Thadie – Loved one
- Thobeka – Humble
- Thulisile – She who made things quiet
- Ulwazi – Knowledge
- Yibanathi – Be with us
- Zanele – They are enough
- Zobuhle – Lady of beauty
